High-intensity resistance exercise with low repetitions maintains endothelial function

Resistance exercise impairs endothelial function, and this impairment is thought to be mediated by sustained elevation in blood pressure. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that resistance exercise-induced endothelial dysfunction would be prevented by high-intensity resistance exercise with low repetitions. This type of resistance exercise is known to induce temporal elevation in blood pressure due to low repetitions and a long resting period between sets. Thirteen young healthy subjects completed three randomized experimental trials as follows: 1) moderate-intensity exercise with moderate repetitions (moderate-moderate trial), 2) low-intensity exercise with high repetitions (low-high trial), and 3) high-intensity exercise with low repetitions (high-low trial). After baseline brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and blood pressure measurements, subjects performed resistance exercise according to the different types of trials. Thereafter, brachial artery FMD and blood pressure measurements were repeated 10, 30, and 60 min after the exercise. Exercise-induced increases in blood flow and shear rate were significantly lower in the high-low trial than in the other two trials ( P < 0.05). Although systolic blood pressures were significantly elevated after exercise in all trials ( P < 0.05), the magnitudes of rise in blood pressure increase were significantly lower in the high-low trial than in the moderate-moderate and low-high trials ( P < 0.05). Moderate-moderate and low-high trials caused a significant impairment in brachial artery FMD ( P < 0.05), which could be prevented through high-intensity resistance exercise with low repetitions ( > 0.05). In conclusion, endothelial function was maintained by conducting high-intensity resistance exercise with low repetitions. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Data from the present study reveal that high-intensity resistance exercise with low repetitions can maintain endothelial function. Thus, this study provides the first evidence that the detrimental vascular effects of resistance exercise are preventable when resistance exercise is performed in high intensity with low repetitions. Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/type-of-resistance-exercise-and-endothelial-function/ (Japanese version: https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/japanese-language-podcast-type-of-resistance-exercise-and-endothelial-function/ ).

Download Full-text

Low-to-Moderate-Intensity Resistance Exercise Is More Effective Than High-Intensity at Improving Endothelial Function in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18136723 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 6723

Author(s):

Yong Zhang ◽

Ya-Jun Zhang ◽

Hong-Wei Zhang ◽

Wei-Bing Ye ◽

Mallikarjuna Korivi

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

Brachial Artery ◽

Effect Size ◽

High Intensity ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Flow Mediated Dilatation ◽

Online Library

Aerobic exercise has been confirmed to improve endothelial function (EF). However, the effect of resistance exercise (RE) on EF remains controversial. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the effect of RE and its intensities on EF. We searched Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Wiley Online Library, and included 15 articles (17 trials) for the synthesis. Overall, RE intervention significantly improved flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in brachial artery (SMD = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.47, 1.05; p < 0.00001), which represents improved EF. Meta-regression showed that the RE intensity was correlated with changes in FMD (Coef. = −0.274, T = −2.18, p = 0.045). We found both intensities of RE improved FMD, but the effect size for the low- to moderate-intensity (30–70%1RM) was bigger (SMD = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.60, 1.43; p < 0.0001) than for the high-intensity (≥70%1RM; SMD = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.74; p = 0.005). We further noticed that RE had a beneficial effect (SMD = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.13, 1.09; p = 0.01) on the brachial artery baseline diameter at rest (BADrest), and the age variable was correlated with the changes in BADrest after RE (Coef. = −0.032, T = −2.33, p = 0.038). Young individuals (<40 years) presented with a bigger effect size for BADrest (SMD = 1.23; 95% CI: 0.30,2.15; p = 0.009), while middle-aged to elderly (≥40 years) were not responsive to RE (SMD = 0.07; 95% CI: −0.28, 0.42; p = 0.70). Based on our findings, we conclude that RE intervention can improve the EF, and low- to moderate-intensity is more effective than high-intensity.

Download Full-text

Maintenance of endothelial function following acute resistance exercise in females is associated with a tempered blood pressure response

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00378.2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 129 (4) ◽

pp. 792-799 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Takuma Morishima ◽

Jaume Padilla ◽

Yosuke Tsuchiya ◽

Eisuke Ochi

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Sexual Dimorphism ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

Blood Pressure Response ◽

Pressure Response ◽

Healthy Male ◽

Vascular Effects ◽

First Time ◽

Female Subjects

The present data demonstrate for the first time that acute resistance exercise impairs endothelial function in young, healthy male but not female subjects. In addition, we show that the preservation of endothelial function in females is associated with a mitigated blood pressure response during resistance exercise. Accordingly, this work portrays a sexual dimorphism in the barostress response, and ensuing vascular effects, to resistance exercise.

Download Full-text

Impact of cocoa flavanol consumption on blood pressure responsiveness to exercise

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114509993382 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 103 (10) ◽

pp. 1480-1484 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

Narelle M. Berry ◽

Kade Davison ◽

Alison M. Coates ◽

Jonathan D. Buckley ◽

Peter R. C. Howe

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Moderate Intensity Exercise ◽

Double Blind ◽

Flow Mediated Dilatation ◽

Dependent Flow ◽

Exercise Induced ◽

Response To Exercise ◽

Cocoa Flavanols

Impaired endothelial vasodilatation may contribute to the exaggerated blood pressure (BP) responses to exercise in individuals who are overweight/obese. The present study investigated whether consumption of cocoa flavanols, which improve endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), can modify BP responsiveness to exercise. Twenty-one volunteers (eight females and thirteen males, 54·9 (se2·2) years, BMI 31·6 (se0·8) kg/m2, systolic BP 134 (se2) mmHg, diastolic BP (DBP) 87 (se2) mmHg) were randomised to consume single servings of either a high-flavanol (HF, 701 mg) or a low-flavanol (LF, 22 mg) cocoa beverage in a double-blind, cross-over design with 3–7-d washout between treatments. Two hours after cocoa consumption, FMD was measured, followed by continuous beat-to-beat assessment (Finapres™) of BP before and during 10 min of cycling at 75 % of age-predicted maximum heart rate. Averaged data from two assessments on each type of beverage were compared by analysis of covariance using pre-exercise BP as the covariate. Pre-exercise BP was similar after taking LF and HF (153 (se3)/88 (se3)v. 153 (se4)/87 (se2) mmHg, respectively,P>0·05). However, the BP response to exercise (area under BP curve) was attenuated by HF compared with LF. BP increases were 68 % lower for DBP (P = 0·03) and 14 % lower for mean BP (P = 0·05). FMD measurements were higher after taking HF than after taking LF (6·1 (se0·6) %v. 3·4 (se0·5) %,P < 0·001). By facilitating vasodilation and attenuating exercise-induced increases in BP, cocoa flavanols may decrease cardiovascular risk and enhance the cardiovascular benefits of moderate intensity exercise in at-risk individuals.

Download Full-text

Characterization of extracellular redox enzyme concentrations in response to exercise in humans

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00340.2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 127 (3) ◽

pp. 858-866 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alex J. Wadley ◽

Gary Keane ◽

Tom Cullen ◽

Lynsey James ◽

Jordan Vautrinot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

High Intensity ◽

Redox Balance ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Redox Enzymes ◽

Redox Enzyme ◽

Systemic Oxidative Stress ◽

Exercise Induced ◽

Induced Changes

Redox enzymes modulate intracellular redox balance and are secreted in response to cellular oxidative stress, potentially modulating systemic inflammation. Both aerobic and resistance exercise are known to cause acute systemic oxidative stress and inflammation; however, how redox enzyme concentrations alter in extracellular fluids following bouts of either type of exercise is unknown. Recreationally active men ( n = 26, mean ± SD: age 28 ± 8 yr) took part in either: 1) two separate energy-matched cycling bouts: one of moderate intensity (MOD) and a bout of high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) or 2) an eccentric-based resistance exercise protocol (RES). Alterations in plasma (study 1) and serum (study 2) peroxiredoxin (PRDX)-2, PRDX-4, superoxide dismutase-3 (SOD3), thioredoxin (TRX-1), TRX-reductase and interleukin (IL)-6 were assessed before and at various timepoints after exercise. There was a significant increase in SOD3 (+1.5 ng/mL) and PRDX-4 (+5.9 ng/mL) concentration following HIIE only, peaking at 30- and 60-min post-exercise respectively. TRX-R decreased immediately and 60 min following HIIE (−7.3 ng/mL) and MOD (−8.6 ng/mL), respectively. In non-resistance trained men, no significant changes in redox enzyme concentrations were observed up to 48 h following RES, despite significant muscle damage. IL-6 concentration increased in response to all trials, however there was no significant relationship between absolute or exercise-induced changes in redox enzyme concentrations. These results collectively suggest that HIIE, but not MOD or RES increase the extracellular concentration of PRDX-4 and SOD3. Exercise-induced changes in redox enzyme concentrations do not appear to directly relate to systemic changes in IL-6 concentration. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Two studies were conducted to characterize changes in redox enzyme concentrations after single bouts of exercise to investigate the emerging association between extracellular redox enzymes and inflammation. We provide evidence that SOD3 and PRDX-4 concentration increased following high-intensity aerobic but not eccentric-based resistance exercise. Changes were not associated with IL-6. The results provide a platform to investigate the utility of SOD3 and PRDX-4 as biomarkers of oxidative stress following exercise.

Download Full-text

One-week cocoa flavanol intake increases prefrontal cortex oxygenation at rest and during moderate-intensity exercise in normoxia and hypoxia

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00055.2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 125 (1) ◽

pp. 8-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lieselot Decroix ◽

Cajsa Tonoli ◽

Elodie Lespagnol ◽

Constantino Balestra ◽

Amandine Descat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Lipid Peroxidation ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Tissue Oxygenation ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Moderate Intensity Exercise ◽

Double Blind ◽

Exercise Induced

During exercise in hypoxia, O2 delivery to brain and muscle is compromised, and oxidative stress is elicited. Cocoa flavanols (CF) have antioxidant capacities and can increase blood flow by stimulating endothelial function. We aimed to examine the effects of 7-day CF intake on oxidative stress, nitric oxide production, and tissue oxygenation in response to exercise in normobaric hypoxia (14.3% O2). In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study, 14 well-trained male cyclists completed four trials: exercise in normoxia or hypoxia, after 7-day CF or placebo intake. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured before intake of the last dose CF or placebo. One hundred minutes later, 20-min steady-state (SS; 45% V̇o2max) and 20-min time trial (TT) (cycling) were performed. Blood samples were taken. Prefrontal and muscular oxygenation was assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy. At baseline, FMD was increased by CF. Hypoxia increased exercise-induced elevations in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity. CF suppressed exercise-induced lipid peroxidation but did not influence antioxidant capacity. At rest and during SS, prefrontal and muscular oxygenation was decreased by hypoxia. CF elevated prefrontal oxygenation but did not impact muscular oxygenation. During TT, hypoxia accelerated the exercise-induced decrease in prefrontal oxygenation, but not in muscular oxygenation. During TT, CF did not alter prefrontal and muscular oxygenation. CF did not change plasma nitrite, nitrate, and arginine:citrulline. During high-intensity exercise, CF improved neither tissue oxygenation nor performance in well-trained athletes. At rest and during moderate-intensity exercise, CF reduced exercise-induced lipid peroxidation and partially restored the hypoxia-induced decline in prefrontal oxygenation. NEW & NOTEWORTHY For the first time, we showed that CF had beneficial effects on endothelial function at rest, as well as on prefrontal oxygenation at rest and during moderate-intensity exercise, both in normoxia and hypoxia. Moreover, we showed that CF intake inhibited oxidative stress during exhaustive exercise in hypoxia.

Download Full-text

P.56 Differences in Vascular Effects Between One Session of Moderate-Intensity Continuous Physical Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Physical Exercise in Individuals with High Blood Pressure

Artery Research ◽

10.2991/artres.k.201209.066 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. S78

Author(s):

Sara Rodrigues ◽

Renata G S Verardino ◽

Marcel J A Costa ◽

Ana Luíse Duenhas-Berger ◽

Valéria Costa-Hong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

High Blood Pressure ◽

High Intensity ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Vascular Effects ◽

High Intensity Interval

Download Full-text

Effects of acute moderate-intensity exercise at different duration on blood pressure and endothelial function in young male patients with stage 1 hypertension

Clinical and Experimental Hypertension ◽

10.1080/10641963.2021.1945074 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Yan Yan ◽

Zhengzhen Wang ◽

Yan Wang ◽

Xuemei Li

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Young Male ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Moderate Intensity Exercise ◽

Male Patients ◽

Stage 1

Download Full-text

Safety and outcomes of a structured exercise programme in young patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: the SAFE-HCM trial

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.3094 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

J Basu ◽

P Poveda Velazquez ◽

G Parry-Williams ◽

C Miles ◽

F Tilby-Jones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Intensity ◽

Young Patients ◽

Exercise Programme ◽

Exercise Group ◽

High Intensity Exercise ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Educational Materials ◽

Moderate Intensity Exercise ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Exercise Induced

Abstract Background Contemporary studies in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) suggest that moderate intensity exercise can improve cardiorespiratory fitness without raising significant safety concerns. Although low/moderate intensity exercise may be appropriate for older HCM patients, it is unlikely to attract younger, often asymptomatic patients, who wish to engage in higher intensity regimes. Purpose To assess the feasibility, safety and outcomes of an individually tailored, high intensity exercise programme in young patients with HCM. Methods In this RCT, 80 patients with HCM, aged 16–60 (mean 45.7, [SD8.6]) underwent baseline testing with ECG, echocardiography, blood testing, exercise testing, 48-hour ECG and psychological assessment. Individuals were randomised to a 12-week supervised exercise programme (HRR increased from 70–85%) (n=40) or usual activity (n=40). Baseline investigations were repeated at 12 weeks. Feasibility was assessed by a) recruitment, adherence and retention rates; b) staffing ratios and logistics; c) acceptability of the intervention/educational materials. Safety was assessed as a composite of 1) cardiovascular death, 2) cardiac arrest, 3) device therapy, 4) exercise induced syncope, 5) sustained/non-sustained (NS) ventricular tachycardia (VT) or 6) sustained atrial arrhythmias. Secondary outcomes included health and psychological benefits. Results 67 individuals (82.5%) completed the study. Reasons for refusal included travel, work and family commitments. The majority (64.7%) of exercising individuals progressed to 85%HRR. Resource requirements were similar to other programmes. All individuals felt supported, more confident to exercise, and found educational materials clear and informative. There was no significant difference between groups for the composite safety outcome. One individual experienced exercise induced syncope due to ventricular standstill (exercise) and another sustained VT (control). Both required device implantation. There was no significant difference between groups in episodes of NSVT (p=0.573) or ectopic burden (p=0.729). At 12 weeks, exercise group participants demonstrated greater activity levels (+1.1 hours [CI 0.2–2.1], p=0.024). The change in peak aerobic capacity (+255.2ml/min [CI 93.2–417.1], p=0.003), time to anaerobic threshold (AT) (+115s [CI 54.2–176.0], p<0.001), total exercise time (+108.1s [CI 33.1–183.0], p=0.005) and oxygen uptake at AT (+2.44ml/kg/min [CI 0.6–4.2], p=0.009) were all significantly greater in the exercise group. HADS anxiety (p<0.001) and depression (p=0.017) scores demonstrated the greatest reduction in the exercise group. Conclusions A high intensity exercise programme is feasible in young patients with HCM, with considerable gains in cardiorespiratory fitness and psychological outcomes. Importantly, arrhythmia burden was not increased in the exercise group. Further research is still required to assess the long-term safety of high intensity exercise in the HCM population. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Other. Main funding source(s): Cardiac Risk in the Young

Download Full-text